Podcasts about mordecai esther

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Jerry, Scott, Papa Fred, and Jared walk through Esther 5. (Title borrowed from ESV headings.)

SUN PM SERMONWatch/Listen here using the Embedded Subsplash Playerdiv.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}Central Baptist Church of Ponca City, OKDATE: Sunday PM, August 13, 2023SERMON BY: Dr. John WaterlooSERMON TITLE: For Such a Time as ThisSERMON THEME: God Always has a Purpose and PlanSERMON SERIES: ResilientSERMON VERSES: Esther 4Fights will come, so…* Stand up for what is right!* Speak up for righteousness!Esther 4:1   When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.Esth. 4:5   Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. 6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.— — —Watch/Listen here using our Subsplash WebShare Playerhttps://cbcponca.subspla.sh/8gqzgk8Listen here on Archive.orghttps://archive.org/download/081323-pm-facebook-stream/081323PM-FacebookStream.mp3

Esther 4:1-17 1   When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;  2   And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.  3   And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.  4   So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.  5   Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.  6   So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.  7   And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.  8   Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.  9   And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.  10   Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;  11   All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.  12   And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.  13   Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.  14   For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?  15   Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,  16   Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.  17   So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. 

Hello and welcome to the show today! It is such a pleasure to have you with us again today as we study the Word of God together. In our study of the book of Acts, we have seen Paul arrested in Jerusalem following a riot that is started by a group of unbelieving Jews who hate him and maliciously and falsely accuse him. Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court of the land (the same governing body that had put Jesus to death), but Paul is not convicted. So the unbelieving Jews hatch a plot to murder Paul, but Paul's nephew overhears of the plot, tells the Roman Commander in charge of Paul, and the commander has Paul transferred to Roman Governor Felix in Caesarea. He is tried before Felix, but he can't convict him, and so he keeps Paul imprisoned for two years until Felix is eventually succeeded by Porcius Festus. And when Festus comes into power, those unbelieving Jews try to get Festus to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (supposedly for a trial), but really they want to ambush and kill him along the way. Now Festus denies their request (though he doesn't know that that is what they had in mind) and, when he comes to Caesarea, has Paul brought before him there to be tried. And it says here in verse 7… Acts 25:7 (ESV)— 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul's 4th Defense— And these were no doubt the same arguments; trying to prove that Paul was an insurrectionist in the hopes that Festus might agree with them and put Paul to death (Acts 25:15-16). But once again, nothing can be substantiated. But Festus hears them out to ascertain all the facts; and then it is Paul turn to make his defense. And this is the fourth of Paul's six defenses. And in it he once again affirms that he has committed no crime against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Rome. It says in… Acts 25:8-9 (ESV)— 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” Not Good for Paul— Now once again, though Festus doesn't know it, this puts Paul in danger of being ambushed and killed. But even if Paul makes it to Jerusalem, the situation is probably worse for him there. And he knows that there is no just reason for him to be sent there. And [a Roman judge could not move a case to another court without the consent of the accused, and Paul refused to go!] So it says in… Acts 25:10-11 (ESV)— 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Why Paul Appeals to Caesar— Now the reason Paul appeals to Caesar (which was the right of every Roman citizen) was threefold. First, he wanted justice. Secondly, he recognized that he was safest under Roman protection. Appealing to Caesar ensured that he would be guarded by the Romans en route to Caesar. But thirdly (and this may in fact be the main reason), his goal was ultimately to get where? Rome. Where is Caesar? Rome. And so he recognizes his appealing to Caesar is the fastest way to get there. So he appeals to Caesar. And it says… Acts 25:12 (ESV)— 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” Festus Embarrassed— And, as you can imagine, this no doubt infuriated the Jewish leaders because once again the chance to murder Paul has slipped through their fingers. Festus may have been somewhat pleased, as he no doubt felt this case was beyond him. But at the same time it did not look well for him that one of his first cases he handled so badly that the prisoner felt forced to appeal to Caesar for justice. But he has no choice. He pronounces that Paul shall indeed be sent to Caesar. Now the Caesar to whom Paul has appealed is Nero. Now this didn't meant that Nero himself would oversee the case. It simply meant that his [case would be tried by the highest courts in the empire.] And despite the fact that Paul's case would be transferred to Nero, Festus still had a problem. Yes he had avoided offending the Jews, but he had failed to determine the legal charges against Paul. And he doesn't want to be in the awkward position of sending such a notable prisoner to Caesar without have any of his crimes clearly listed. But it says in… Acts 25:13 (ESV)— 13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. Herod Agrippa II & Bernice— Now this king who came for a state visit was Herod Agrippa II. He was [the last of the Herodians to rule, was the great-grandson of {Herod the Great,} the Herod who {ruled at the time Jesus was born and} had killed the Bethlehem babes, and {was} the son of the Herod who had killed the apostle James (Acts 12).] [His great-uncle, Herod Antipas, was the Herod of the Gospels (Mark 6:14-29; Luke 3:1; 13:31-33; 23:7-12)]. [He had power over the Temple, controlled the Temple treasury, and could appoint and remove the high priest.] He was in his early thirties at this time. And his sister Bernice had come with him to join him in paying [their respect to the new governor, Festus]. Now Bernice [had married her uncle, Herod Chalcis, had become mistress to her brother Agrippa II, and then had become mistress to the emperor Vespasian's son, Titus.] And her living with her brother Agrippa II made the Jews uneasy because of how clearly and explicitly God had forbade incest (Lev. 18:1-18; 20:11-21). But Herod Agrippa II had been given [legal jurisdiction over the temple in Jerusalem, so it was logical that Festus share Paul's case with him.] And so it says in… Acts 25:14-22 (ESV)— 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” Festus' Game— Now we see here that Festus clearly understands that this whole issue has nothing to do with civil law, but rather was a matter of “religion” (Acts 18:14-15; 23:29); particularly the doctrine of resurrection. And verse 19 shows that Paul wasn't just defending the concept of resurrection abstractly or in a general way, but was focusing specifically on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But all this was beyond Festus' (and Rome's) expertise or interest. He was both a pagan Roman and also new in Judea, so it was natural for him not to know the theological differences between Christians and Jews. But note how Festus is deceiving Agrippa, because he is giving him the impression that the reason he had wanted to move the trial to Jerusalem was because these theological issues might be better addressed there; but that wasn't his real motivation. His [real reason was to please the Jewish leaders, most of whom King Herod knew.] And he's hoping that Agrippa will supply him with something definite that he can send to the Emperor Nero. And that's because Agrippa was [an expert in Jewish matters (Acts 26:2-3) and certainly would be keenly interested in knowing more about this man who {supposedly} caused a riot in the temple. And Agrippa is indeed interested to hear Paul. In fact [The Greek verb tense implies Herod had been wanting to hear Paul for a long time. As an expert on Jewish affairs (cf. 26:3), he relished hearing Christianity's leading spokesman in person.] And Festus promises him that he will. And next week we will see how that unfolds. God Turns Things Around— But I want to close today with a word of encouragement. As demonstrated in our passage today, we see one example among many of how unjust our world often is. But we also see how God protected Paul and even used this trial to open a door of opportunity by which Paul could immediately be escorted to Rome. By setting in motion their plot to kill Paul, the Jewish leaders in fact helped Paul to get exactly where God wanted him to go: Rome. And God does the same for us. You know, every year Jews have been celebrating the Feast of Purim, which commemorates the triumph of God's people in the book of Esther when Haman had sought to destroy all the Jews in the empire. Haman set himself against the Jews generally and Mordecai (Esther's cousin) in particular and plotted their destruction. And things got really dark for a while. But what ended up happening was that it was Haman himself who unintentionally (through his trying to exalt himself) actually became instrumental in Mordecai being honored and exalted. Haman's plot against the Jews ended up falling on his own head; and the book of Esther ends with Haman being hanged and Mordecai assuming his former job as Grand Vizier. And God's people are delivered. I think also of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers. Then he's wrongfully accused and thrown into prison. But God lifts him up and eventually makes him Pharaoh's right hand man that helps Egypt plan for a coming famine and actually saves the empire and all the lands affected by that famine. But none of that would have happened if Joseph had not been sold or thrown into prison. And there are so many other examples like this. ​Trust in God— Now all this to say, when we are experiencing the injustice and persecution that go along with following Jesus Christ, we need to take heart. We need to recognize that it may be the furnace, the lion's den, the prison cell or whatever other place of affliction we might be in that will actually become the engine through which God can bring His greatest work. The hard thing is to trust in that. But if we do, God never disappoints. And so let us trust in Him like that today. Amen.

Watch/Listen here using the Embedded Subsplash Playerdiv.sap-embed-player{position:relative;width:100%;height:0;padding-top:56.25%;}div.sap-embed-player>iframe{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;}Central Baptist Church of Ponca City, OKDATE: Wednesday, September 21, 2022SERMON BY: Bro. Brian FriendSERMON TITLE: For Such a Time as ThisSERMON THEME: Allowing God to Lead UsSERMON SERIES: Guest SpeakerSERMON TEXT: Esther 4:10-14Esther 4:10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?— — —Watch/Listen here using our Subsplash WebShare Playerhttps://subspla.sh/j93dh5qListen here on Archive.orghttps://archive.org/download/092122-wed-facebook-stream/092122WED-FacebookStream.mp3 

Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.-----------LINKS----------Support 10WB on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/10weekbibleThe 10 Week Bible - http://www.10WeekBible.comTwitter: @DarrenHibbs - https://twitter.com/DarrenHibbsSign up for my newsletter - http://www.darrenhibbs.comGet a copy of the 10 Week Bible Study today - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Hibbs/e/B00B4I47CE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl2&tag=darrenhcom0a-20&linkId=401f3d79974c70929517936977e32df9My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUU0XHSHuhSyN8qk-7efYgSign up for or email list at 10WeekBible.comSupport the show

Haman had just finished telling the king all the most presumptuous ways he would want to be honored, assuming the king was planning to honor him. Haman probably found it impossible to hide the smug smile on his face, sure of what was coming next from the king. I imagine the world went into slow motion for Haman as the name Mordecai came out of his mouth.M    -    O    -    R    -    D    -    E    -    C    -    A    -    IOne can only imagine Haman's face as he heard the words the king said. We are only left to conjecture what Haman must have looked and sounded like as he heralded the phrase, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor,” throughout the city. This obviously must have taken Mordecai completely by surprise. The text gives us the impression that years had passed since Mordecai had uncovered the assassination plot, so it was probably the last thing on his mind, especially given the current crisis he and the Jews were in. To have Haman be the very man parading him around the city was probably just plain confusing, but not without a sense that the Lord was up to something really big. He had presented the entire situation to Esther in a way that caused her to think of her situation like Joseph in Egypt. Now, the Lord was turning the tables in almost the same way He had done centuries before, and Mordecai was at the center of it all!If you had been Mordecai, what would you have thought and felt that day?_______________Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.-----------LINKS----------Support 10WB on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/10weekbibleThe 10 Week Bible - http://www.10WeekBible.comTwitter: @DarrenHibbs - https://twitter.com/DarrenHibbsSign up for my newsletter - http://www.darrenhibbs.comGet a copy of the 10 Week Bible Study today - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Hibbs/e/B00B4I47CE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl2&tag=darrenhcom0a-20&linkId=401f3d79974c70929517936977e32df9My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUU0XHSHuhSyN8qk-7efYgSupport the show

To say that this is a reversal of fates is a biblical understatement. The Lord has orchestrated something truly spectacular here in the story of Esther. The king couldn't sleep that night. As stated before, maybe it was because Haman's workmen building the death device specifically for Mordecai is what kept him up. Maybe it was just the providence of the Lord. One way or another, the Lord kept him up and led him to hear a specific bed time story that he otherwise wouldn't have heard that night.Ahasaurus decided to have his accomplishments read to him, and the bedtime reader just happened to turn to the story about Mordecai uncovering and stopping the assassination plot against the king we read in chapter two. It's obvious that this reading somehow extended into the wee hours of the morning, and the king was bothered until it was time to be awake anyway. That morning, he asked the reader to read what had been written about what was done for Mordecai. When he couldn't find anything further written, the king decided to spring into action to rectify the situation. He wasn't going to let Mordecai go another day without being rewarded for his loyalty. The king wanted to consult one of his advisors, so he asked his attendants if anyone was already in the court that morning.As luck would have it, Haman just so happened to be walking in early that morning with a small request about who else but Mordecai. Not knowing what the king had been reading that night, he was there to ask if he could just go ahead and put Mordecai to death now on the pike (or gallows) he had built the previous day (and probably overnight). What a set up!What do you think kept the king awake that night?______________________________Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.-----------LINKS----------Support 10WB on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/10weekbibleThe 10 Week Bible - http://www.10WeekBible.comTwitter: @DarrenHibbs - https://twitter.com/DarrenHibbsSign up for my newsletter - http://www.darrenhibbs.comGet a copy of the 10 Week Bible Study today - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Hibbs/e/B00B4I47CE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl2&tag=darrenhcom0a-20&linkId=401f3d79974c70929517936977e32df9My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUU0XHSHuhSyN8qk-7efYgSupport the show

After Haman had expressed how little she meant to him as long as Mordecai was still alive, she had a bright idea: just put him to death immediately!It makes one wonder if Haman had been treating his wife more and more poorly as his hatred and contempt for Mordecai had been increasing. Maybe she had been wondering why his mood was growing considerably worse even as he was being promoted at such a rapid rate. The speech he gave in the preceding passage was probably of great comfort to her. The solution was easy. Just have Mordecai killed.She suggested he do it in public fashion so that everyone would know that you do not refuse to bow to her husband. He really liked the idea, so Haman gave the orders for this pike (or gallows) to be built that very day. Given the size of this structure, he must have spent a lot of money on it to be built so quickly and it and they probably had to work on it all night long. I'm sure that those who lived close to Haman and the palace heard the work on this structure all night as it kept them awake. Maybe it's the reason the king couldn't sleep…What would you have recommended if you had been Haman's wife?__________________Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.-----------LINKS----------Support 10WB on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/10weekbibleThe 10 Week Bible - http://www.10WeekBible.comTwitter: @DarrenHibbs - https://twitter.com/DarrenHibbsSign up for my newsletter - http://www.darrenhibbs.comGet a copy of the 10 Week Bible Study today - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Hibbs/e/B00B4I47CE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl2&tag=darrenhcom0a-20&linkId=401f3d79974c70929517936977e32df9My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUU0XHSHuhSyN8qk-7efYgSupport the show

Up to this point, Haman has been very patient and contrived. He's a schemer, for sure. But something about this banquet, and the prospect of the one tomorrow got him thinking. He thought of all the ways he must have been the most blessed and wealthy person in all of the Persian kingdom, and how that meant nothing to him if Mordecai wouldn't bow. He had passed by Mordecai day in and day out for weeks or months at this point, and Mordecai never once bowed. It was this banquet that Queen Esther threw that got him to contemplate his life, and his patience for Mordecai came to an end. Haman could no longer contain his rage, and he decided it was time to have a confab with his closest friends and family to decide what to do about it.He brought them together and told them just how little they all meant to him as long as this one lone Jew refused to pay him homage. The speech he gave his wife and kids wasn't the kind that wins you husband or father of the year, but it was a moment of especially insightful clarity into the mind of this wicked man. The desire for retribution, revenge and death had finally overcome Haman, and he couldn't stand it anymore. It was eating him alive. Had it not been for the events that the Lord was going to be simultaneously orchestrating this evening, things would have gone very poorly for Mordecai and the Jews within just a few short hours.But the Lord is good at manipulating even the proudest of rulers.What do you think it was about this one time that Mordecai refused to bow that got to Haman so bad?______________________Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.-----------LINKS----------Support 10WB on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/10weekbibleThe 10 Week Bible - http://www.10WeekBible.comTwitter: @DarrenHibbs - https://twitter.com/DarrenHibbsSign up for my newsletter - http://www.darrenhibbs.comGet a copy of the 10 Week Bible Study today - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Hibbs/e/B00B4I47CE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl2&tag=darrenhcom0a-20&linkId=401f3d79974c70929517936977e32df9My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUU0XHSHuhSyN8qk-7efYgSupport the show

It's clear from Esther's situation that she's something of a prisoner of the palace. It doesn't appear that she is allowed to leave since she can only communicate with Mordecai through intermediaries. When Esther heard that Mordecai was in sackcloth, she was very worried about him. She couldn't check Twitter or the internet for information on what might be troubling him, so she had to send her eunuch servants to message with him. This goes back to the reality that no one would have chosen this life for Esther. Not her father, not Mordecai and certainly not any other Jew, but it was the hand she had been dealt. We will most certainly see that God is going to use a bad situation for one of the most amazing turnarounds in human history, but for now we can mourn for Esther just a little in her captivity. She had it good, but she was still a captive of the palace nonetheless. How do you think you would have dealt with Esther's situation?------------------Esther is simultaneously a victory and a tragedy. In some ways, If you look at it through a modern lens, it should be called the Victory of Mordecai and the Tragedy of Esther. Esther loses her parents and then is taken into the harem of a despotic king to be used as he wishes. Mordecai ends up, like Daniel, a very high official and ruler in his expatriated land. This will be a great study of Esther as we look at the emotions, the world and the meanings of one of the most cherished, and often misunderstood books of the Bible.-----------LINKS----------Support 10WB on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/10weekbibleThe 10 Week Bible - http://www.10WeekBible.comTwitter: @DarrenHibbs - https://twitter.com/DarrenHibbsSign up for my newsletter - http://www.darrenhibbs.comGet a copy of the 10 Week Bible Study today - https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Hibbs/e/B00B4I47CE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl2&tag=darrenhcom0a-20&linkId=401f3d79974c70929517936977e32df9My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUU0XHSHuhSyN8qk-7efYgTake the survey and win some great fun stuff at www.10WeekBible.com today.Support the show

Pastors Chris Mitchell and Jon Bell seek to answer questions from the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. Questions like: is Mordecai (Esther's uncle) also mentioned as an exile returning in Ezra and did God sanction divorce in the book of Ezra?…

3/16/22. Happy Purim. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today, Esther 9:20-25. Mordecai had the history written and dispersed explaining why it called Purim and why it's celebrated two days. Enduring Word commentary; Faithlife Study Bible; and/or Matthew Henry Commentary. #Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover for November 2021" #MinutesWord; #dailydevotional. Listen, like, follow, share! Available on Apple podcast; Spotify; Tune-in Radio; iHeart; Goodpods; Stitcher; and many others!! #MinutesWord. Financial support is welcome at https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster #purim2022 #prayforukraine #prayforpeace https://www.facebook.com/YaelEckstein/videos/689963892190716/

The post The Rise Of Mordecai, Esther 6 appeared first on South Canyon Baptist Church.

3/4/22. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today, Esther 8:1-2. Haman's property is given to Esther who gives it to Mordecai. Enduring Word commentary; Faithlife Study Bible; and/or Matthew Henry Commentary. #Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover for November 2021" #MinutesWord; #dailydevotional. Listen, like, follow, share! Available on Apple podcast; Spotify; Tune-in Radio; iHeart; Goodpods; Stitcher; and many others!! #MinutesWord. Financial support is welcome at https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster #prayforukraine #prayforpeace --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster/support

2/26/2022. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today, Esther 6:10-11. Enduring Word commentary; Faithlife Study Bible; and/or Matthew Henry Commentary. #Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover for November 2021" #MinutesWord; #dailydevotional. Listen, like, follow, share! Available on Apple podcast; Spotify; Tune-in Radio; iHeart; Goodpods; Stitcher; and many others!! #MinutesWord. Financial support is welcome at https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster/support

2/15/22. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today, Esther 4:6-9. Hathach is sent to inquire about the reason for Mordecai's sackcloth. Enduring Word commentary; Faithlife Study Bible; and/or Matthew Henry Commentary. #Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover for November 2021" #MinutesWord; #dailydevotional. Listen, like, follow, share! Available on Apple podcast; Spotify; Tune-in Radio; iHeart; Goodpods; Stitcher; and many others!! #MinutesWord. Financial support is welcome at https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/esbc-webmaster/support

Why did Haman hate Mordecai? In this devotional, I share three thoughts from Esther 3:1-6. 1. No bowing. 2. Hatred of Jews. 3. Pride. These thoughts come from assigned reading - Esther 1-5. If you would like to read through the Bible with me you can do so by joining the Facebook group Through the Bible. Music provided by texasradiofish. All readings are from the ESV unless otherwise noted. Read this devotional's chapters here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther+1-5&version=ESV Join Through the Bible here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/throughthebibletogether/ Watch more devotionals here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ2HW1s_Tp3amJY4Jj2QmZfFpvQAOcUOn Thanks for joining me as we read through the text of scripture together. #ThreeThoughts #ShortBibleLesson #DailyDevotional

Focal Text: Esther 4: 9-14 Esther 4:9-14 KJV - "[9] And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. [10] Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; [11] All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, [there is] one law of his to put [him] to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. [12] And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. [13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. [14] For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this?" Presenter: Larry Frazier, Minister, East Baltimore Church of Christ Originally Preached: 9th of July, 2017 ___________________________________________________________________ Follow EBCoC on social media! Updates Weekly! Like and Share! You: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPYGjhGQlfmc1Pxir5zcBvg Face: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ebcocbelair/ Twit: https://twitter.com/EastBaltCoC Web: https://www.eastbaltimorecoc.com/ "The Body of Christ committed to reaching the world with the Gospel. We will strive to be successful in our quest to be good ambassadors for Christ. Our primary mission is to be servants to those in need and to introduce the gospel to the world, without addition, subtraction, or substitution." #coc #cofc #church #christ #sermon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ebcoc/message

Focal Text: Rom 8: 28-30, Esther 4: 5-14 Romans 8:28-30 KJV - "[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Esther 4:5-14 KJV - "[5] Then called Esther for Hatach, [one] of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it [was], and why it [was]. [6] So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which [was] before the king's gate. [7] And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. [8] Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew [it] unto Esther, and to declare [it] unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. [9] And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. [10] Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; [11] All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, [there is] one law of his to put [him] to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. [12] And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. [13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. [14] For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then] shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this?" Presenter: Larry Frazier Originally Preached: 1st of August, 2019 ___________________________________________________________________ Follow EBCoC on social media! Updates Weekly! You: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPYGjhGQlfmc1Pxir5zcBvg Face: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ebcocbelair/ Twit: https://twitter.com/EastBaltCoC Web: https://www.eastbaltimorecoc.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ebcoc/message

MEMORISE: Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 READ: Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. MESSAGE: Anger is a strong emotion that can destroy you if you don't deal with it. Why do people get angry easily? There are several reasons but we will consider two: Pride: People that often get offended are proud. For example, Haman planned to kill Mordecai and his people because he was proud. He felt he wasn't getting enough reverence from Mordecai (Esther 3:5). If you get angry easily, check it, you might be proud. Lack of love: Anyone who loves people genuinely will not get angry easily. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 states the attributes of love; if you have all of then, you cannot stay angry at people. The meekest man ever, Moses did not get to the Promised Land because of anger (Numbers 20:11-12 ). Deal with that anger today before it stops you from getting to heaven. ACTION POINT: Deal with the source of anger in you. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 21-22, Luke 22:1-71 AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE

EP 38 How to Be the Modern Day Esther for Overwhelmed Working Moms. How You Can Become a Hero Like Esther in the Bible through Bold, Courageous Action Hey ladies today, we're going to talk about an awesome character in the Bible. And that is Esther. We're going to talk about how the name of God was not even mentioned in the book of Esther. We're going to talk about what she needed to overcome the fear to take the bold courageous action that she took, even though she could have faced death. And we're going to talk about what reward she got when she did take that bold and courageous action. And let me just remind you that every single one of you are a modern day hero like Esther. Wholly Made Life Big IIDEAA framework: http://bit.ly/IIDEAAJournal Podcast: http://bit.ly/whollymadelifepodcast IG: @angietoninirogers Community: http://bit.ly/whollymadelifefbgroup Wholly Made Life™ Short Assessment: http://bit.ly/shortassessment Angie's Coaching Menu: Email me at angietoninirogers@gmail.com So our story today about Esther and what the heck that has to do with you. I wanted to just speak to my mommas, who are feeling overwhelmed, overworked, stressed out and burnt out. I know that you are feeling kind of completely unbalanced and maybe you're feeling like you don't really know what your purpose is. Well, I hope today's story of Esther really encourages you to help you find that purpose. But I also wanted to help you get back into the place where we can fix the foundation of your Holy made life. What I'm offering is I've got a place for three women this month, and I am going to help you rebalance the foundation of your Holy made life. Okay, we're going to go through your identity. We're going to identify where it is that needs to change. We're going to define what success and balance looks like for you. We're going to work together to kind of embrace where we've been, where you are and where you're going. And then we're going to come up with an action plan so that you know exactly what to do on a daily basis to help you lead the more balanced life that God has intended for you. You have been created for a purpose on purpose. And I want to make sure that you are living that thing out because there are people in your life, SIS waiting on you. They're waiting on you to fulfill that purpose, just like they were waiting on Ester. So grab a session. Angie, tonyRogers@gmail.com. Now let's get into today's episode. Okay. So the book of Esther, well, this is the only book that doesn't mention the name of God. Now that doesn't mean that God wasn't all up in there. Okay. God was permeating that whole story of Esther, what it was and what it is is that even though all of the events that were happening in Esther seemed to be so out of control and so chaotic and maybe hopeless. It's very clear that Esther was created for purpose on purpose for a time that she was in at that point, just like you, you are today's Esther, you have been created in purpose for a time such as this God was there. Even when things didn't make sense, even when there were clear dangers and clear chaos and really a worry or a fear that she might even lose her life. God is the God of promises though. God is a promise keeper. He's a miracle worker and he will keep his promise. And the key to Esther was that even though Esther was afraid, she took bold action, but let's not forget that she had someone in her corner corner rooting for her. And that was Mordecai. He reminded her that she was made for a time, such as this. She was purposed exactly for this exact thing in Esther, four 14. He says, perhaps this is the moment for which you've been created or for if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place. But you and your father's family will perish they'll die and you, and who knows, but that you have come to your Royal position for a time such as this, what he was encouraging. Esther was that, look, you're in the position. You're in the right position at the right time, in the right place to make an impact on everybody, around you. And in this situation, it was a life or death situation, not only for her and her family, but for all of her people all of the Jewish people, because Haman had come up with a plan to kill all of Jewish, all of the Jewish people. So what she did was she used her bold courageous action, and she went to the King, even though she could have faced death. Okay. she was afraid for her own life. You know, no one was supposed to approach the King without being called from him being called by him. So she actually, she was fearful. She tried to hide. She tried to avoid taking that action, but Mordecai begged her pleaded with her, encouraged her, reminded her that she is the queen and she is in the right time, the right place in the right position to do something, to save the Jewish people. So the next that's what I want to point out. Number one, you always got somebody that God has placed in your corner, encouraging, you know, who those people are. Maybe it's me. Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm the one that's supposed to be in your corner, helping you kind of get your foundation of your Holy made life on a, on a more balanced on the more balanced ground. So may or maybe it's someone else that you know of, but be prayerful about that. Make sure that the people in your life that, that you're listening to the ones that are Holy spirit led and the ones that God has placed in your life like Mordecai Esther's life. So the thing is that she had someone that God had specifically placed in her life at that time to encourage her, to take the action and overcome the fear that she had about taking this action. So the second thing is that she took action and she prayed. She not only prayed, but she joined together with others to fast and pray for three days and three nights. She instructed Mordecai to fast and pray along with some of her, her friends for three days and three nights. So not only did she walk in faith and courage, but she did it after she fasted and prayed. So she went to God about it. Okay. So at the end of those three days, she would approach the King with the request to save her people. So she did that. And of course we know that the King agreed and he actually had Haman killed the kind of ironic thing about this. This thing is that not only did she save her people, but also queen Esther and Mordecai were then given Haman's estate. And they were honored for their action for their bold creative courageous action. And the King actually wrote into law or decree to protect all of the Jewish people. So they got what they, they got saved. There are people were saved and then they inherited the estate of the person that was out to destroy them. If that doesn't kind of let you up, I don't know what will. So another thing that I want to encourage you with is that when things, when you're afraid, when you don't know have courage, be strong and courageous, Joshua one nine says, have I not commanded you be strong and be courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord. Your God will be with you wherever you go. And Jeremiah 29 11 for, I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and hope. So you have been created for a time such as this. And if you're in a place where you just don't know how to get yourself rebalanced, how to get more out of every area of your life, if you're overwhelmed at work and you're working too much, or you just feel like you don't really have the energy and time left, that is what I'm here for. I can help you rediscover that joy and that balance and each area of your life. Let's grab a power session today. I will do one hour for the 30 minute price, and I will be able to, we'll be able to go through the whole lifestyle. Okay. We'll be able to go through the whole wheel and we will create that action plan for you to get you feeling more balanced and being able to walk boldly and courageously fulfilling the purpose that God has intended for your life. I believe that you were created to do big things and do exactly what God's calling you to do. And sometimes we all just need a little encouragement and a little restructuring so that we can spend some time becoming who it is that God has intended us to be and living the life that he intends for us in all areas of our life. Okay, SIS. So thank you so much for listening. Listen, make sure you hop over in our Facebook group, a wholly made life so that we can walk this thing out together. I will see you on the inside! Before you go. I'd love for you to hop over to my podcast and give me a review. And you know, I'd love five stars. That's how we can share this thing with other women, just like us. You're five stars and written review really helps me get the word out. You can also take a screenshot of this episode and tag me in your Insta and Facebook stories. And I'll give you a shout out right back, leaving a review and sharing this episode is the best way you can show me some luck. Thanks so much. And I'll see you in the next episode. And remember your smile is like a boomerang, throw one at somebody and it'll come right back.

Today Iran is actively plotting to ‘wipe Israel from the map' and threatens a genocide against the Jews. Some other nations and radical Islamic groups share those vicious sentiments and goals. Jews now fear for their life in many parts of Western Europe. They face great hostility on university campuses, on the internet and in different areas of private and public life and in national and international institutions like the United Nations. In the words of the title of a book by British MP John Mann ‘Anti-Semitism is the oldest hatred.'All this should be of great concern to all Christians. For not only are we called to love people of all races and religions, but also because as Christian believers, we owe a particular and enormous spiritual and moral debt to the Jewish people. Our Christian roots are Jewish and our faith is, of course, focussed on the unique Jewish rabbi from Nazareth who we believe is the promised Messiah that the Hebrew prophets spoke of. And the Bible tells us that we should honour and love the Jews because it was through the people of Israel that we received the Ten Commandments, the unchanging covenants of God, the revelation of God's character and many other blessings. Therefore, it matters that we do all we can to pray for and stand up for the Jewish people by our words and actions just as others have done before us (e.g. Pastors Niemoller and Bonhoeffer; Corrie Ten Boom; Queen Esther). But as we do so, and also as we face the pandemic and problems of many kinds, we should draw great hope from the story of dramatic turnaround found in the book of Esther. The God of the Bible is the God of the turnaround. He has and can turn around individual lives, families, churches and even nations, no matter how bad things may be. All through the Bible we see how God can turn all kinds of situations around (Psalm 66:6; Isaiah 41:18; Jeremiah 31:13; Malachi 4:6). Esther 7:10 says: ‘So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.' In a just a few words we discover that one of the most evil men in history ended up receiving the punishment that he had planned for his worst enemy. In this story in the book of Esther we see some key lessons of how God can turn around even the toughest situations.1. God can turn the toughest situation around (Esther 3; Esther 5:9-14)2. God will turn things round in his own timing and His own way a. God's timing is perfect (Esther 6:1-3; Habakkuk 2:3)b. God's ways are perfect (Esther 7:7-11)3. God will turn things around totallya. God decisively delivers you from your enemies (Esther 7:8-10)b. God gives new freedom c. God brings great joy to His people (Esther 8:16-17)ApplyAre you in a tough situation right now? Do you believe that God can turn it around? Haman's hatred of the Jews was not just general but also very personal. He could not stand Mordecai, who refused to be intimidated by Haman. Because of Haman's hatred and plotting, the whole of the Jewish people faced imminent annihilation, and Mordecai was to be hanged the next morning too. There seemed no way out. Many people today find themselves in the same situation. Maybe you are one of them: You cannot see how your marriage can last or get out of the rut it is in; You can't see how you can bring you kids up on your own; Your debts are piling up all around you and you seem set to lose everything; Your doctor has given you little or no hope; Your kids or grandkids are out of control and have not the slightest interest in God; Your family has so much hurt and division that you could never see how it good ever come together; Your country seems to be in an ever-bigger mess. Well Mordecai and the Jews found themselves in the most desperate of circumstances, yet it all turned around.Do you trust that God will turn things round in his own timing and His own way? Things were out of Mordecai's control, but not out of God's control. God's timing is perfect and on the very evening before Mordecai was about to be killed, the King found out how Mordecai had foiled a plot to assassinate him (Esther 6:1-3). From this key moment, things suddenly and totally turned around for Mordecai, just as they did for Joseph who was forgotten for years in an Egyptian prison until he was suddenly elevated to Prime Minister. So often God allows us to face great pressures but then He comes through just at the perfect moment. It is so important to learn to trust the timing of God (Habakkuk 2:3). God's ways are perfect. We see that at the very moment the King was wondering how to honour Mordecai, he asked advice from Haman who had walked in to talk about hanging Mordecai. Before Haman could speak, the King asked about the best way to honour someone. Haman, assuming the honour was for him, laid it on thick (Esther 7:7-10). But instead the King told him to immediately go and do it all for Mordecai (Esther 7:11). The very person who was so against Mordecai was the one who had to honour him. How amazing that in one moment the proud guy was humiliated and the humble servant was raised up. For sure God's ways are not our ways but they are certainly higher. And they are so much better than we can imagine. Are you confident that God will decisively deliver you from your enemies, and bring you new freedom and joy? What Haman did not know was that Mordecai had looked after his orphaned cousin Hadassah, who was now better known as Queen Esther, and it was she who would expose Haman as the Hitler-like figure who wanted to kill all the Jews. At the King's command we read ‘they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided' (Esther 7:10). God has a long-proven track record of taking what was meant for evil against us and turning it for our good. However much difficulty you may be facing right now, be confident that God has the power to deliver you and your family and bring you out into the best place. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. In this total turnaround recorded here, there were even more blessings to follow. Due to Esther pleading for her people, we read in chapter 8 that the King gave Esther all Haman's estate, reversed all the orders for Haman's planned Holocaust and granted the Jews the right to defend themselves. So often it is after you have faced great battles, that you come into great blessings and new spaces and opportunities open up for you. Be sure that God wants to bring you to a new place of freedom: spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially. 'It is for freedom Christ has set you free.' And when God turns things around He brings great joy to His people. Mordecai received great personal honour, becoming the new second in command to the King, and the Jews had a great celebration (Esther 8:16-17). Instead of destruction there was great deliverance. Instead of extermination there was exhilaration. Instead of death there was life. No wonder the Jews had such a party and why all these years later they still party in remembrance of this amazing turnaround. Today no matter what situation you are in, God can work for you. When you commit your life to the Lord, He sees to it that all things work together for good for you in life and in death. God loves you. God is for you. God can do more than you can imagine. Today, whether you are a non-Christian or a Christian, put your trust fully in God. Believe for change where no change seems possible and let God turn things around.

Jason Hansen concludes our series "Where Is God?", finding God in the book of Esther. Learn more about us at www.anchorchurchgilbert.com

SwordPlay - S3E8 (ep. 71) - Greek Esther - What additions have been made to the book of Esther in the LXX? - How do we know that these are additions to the original story? - What kind of copies do we have for Greek Esther? - What similarities does this vision have to apocalyptic imagery in the Bible? (A:4-10) - Why are the humble people in the vision seen as eating (“devouring”) the honorable? Cannibalism? (A:10) - What is a Bougaion and why is there no mention of Haman being an Amalekite or Agagite? (A:17) - What methods of persuasion/manipulation does this letter use to convince the populace of cooperating with this plan? - What reason does Mordecai give for God to save them? (C:8-10) - Why does Esther put poop in her hair? Was that common? (C:13) - If God had already “determined” (NRSV; or “planned,” LES) what He was going to do (A.11/11.12), His sovereign control recognized by Mordecai & Esther in their prayers, why pray? - What kind of overtones should be seen in Esther’s description of being “resplendent?” (D:2) - Should Esther’s comparison of Artaxerxes to that of an angel be considered blasphemous? Was she lying? Was this righteous deception? (D:13-14) - Who wrote this decree - the king, Esther, Mordecai, all of the above? - Why is Haman referred to as a Macedonian? What is the truth behind Haman’s hidden motivation? (E:10, 14) - Why does it say Haman was crucified instead of hanged or impaled? (E:18) - Why would beasts and birds be included in the threatened wrath? (E:24) - Should Esther F be our hermeneutic for interpreting apocalyptic literature? (F:3-6) - Why were these additions made to Esther? - How do we know which text we should prefer, the Hebrew or Greek Esther? - Which version of the story is better in terms of storytelling? This week’s Featured Creature: Rephaim view our website: swordplay.cast.rocks search "swordplay" in iTunes podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. Please "Like" us or even write a review. feel free to re-post to social media send questions and comments to: swordplaypodcast@gmail.com

GOD WILL CERTAINLY SHOW UP ESTHER 8: 1-8;17 Introduction Ø Mordecai honoured, and returns to his position at the king’s gate Ø Haman goes back in grief and speaks to the wife and his advisers Ø His advisers said to him “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him- you will surely come to ruin Ø While they were still talking to him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the second banquet Ø God works suddenly but in his own time: there comes a time when God does not give your enemy time to plot again Ø During the banquet Esther finally makes her petition and request to the king Ø Haman ends up hanging on the gallows he erected for Mordecai The same day things changed Ø The king gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman Ø Mordecai is promoted from being an official at the king’s gate to now come into the presence of the king Ø The signet ring of the king which was reclaimed from Haman is now given to Mordecai Ø Esther appoints Mordecai over Haman’s estate Ø Haman is dead, but his letter, sealed with the signet ring still remains in force Ø There is an invisible hand of God caught in the circumstances which are out of your control Ø God allows certain things to happen in our lives, they follow the sequence of God which usually will not make sense Esther again pleads with the king Ø Let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces Ø The king wrote a second decree for Esther and the Jews Ø Whatever looks final, God can overrule, and God will reverse it in your favour Ø Never forget that you are favoured by God himself We learn five things Ø 1.Their pain was about to be turned into joy Ø 2.Their enemies were yet to see what their God was doing for them Ø 3.You are where you are at this time and season for the purpose of God’s kingdom Ø 4.Throughout your life, God is faithful and will always remain faithful Ø Faithful even in your pain, rejection, confusion, loss…. Ø 5.Your position is for spiritual reason not for personal benefit God will certainly show up Ø Esther 8:17 READ Ø God turned their weeping into joy Ø God honours those who honour him, and blesses those who obey him Ø The world will be in opposition to Christ, the believer and Biblical faith Ø Remember God cannot be removed from your scene, but he can remove irrelevant things from your scene Ø Jesus has come, the end is near, the one who is seeking our destruction will himself be destroyed Ø Do not despair, remain faithful all will be set right Ø Your faithfulness to God and your commitment to Holy Christian living will be rewarded Ø Just as it happened to Esther and Mordecai, it will happen to you Ø No one has a final say against you Ø Threats against you will be there, but never live a threated life because Jesus has done for you all that you need Ø Psalm 30: 3-5

Hello, and welcome to Lechem Panim. We are glad you are with us today for another message from the book of Esther, which today will focus on the faithfulness of God to humble those who are sinful and arrogant and to exalt those who are righteous and humble. A Flex Cam Showdown— Not long ago, at a Philadelphia Soul football game, they've  had something called “Flex Cam.” The camera panned out to the crowd, tasking them to flex their muscles. It's a fun thing, kids and adults showing up on the big screen flexing. However, during once of these events there was a young man on whom the camera fell who wanted to show his fairly large muscles. So he stood up and flexed his biceps and even turned to the girl behind and began flexing in front of her. And then he turned back to the camera to flex some more. But unbeknownst to him, the girl he had been flexing to quietly stood up behind him and slipped off her jean jacket, revealing bulging, body-builder arms. And he turned again, just in time to see her (with a look of pure pleasure) flexing her vastly superior arms over him; after which he quietly slumped back into his seat with a look of absolute embarrassment on his face. Humbling Fun To Watch— You know, I don't care whether it is in a movie or television show, or even in day to day life, the funniest moments are often when somebody who is proud or arrogant or full of themselves is humbled. And we will see this happen in a big way in our story today in the book of Esther. Esther Stands for God's People— Now we left Queen Esther last week immediately following the first banquet she had prepared for the King and his advisor Haman. Because Esther's cousin Mordecai wouldn't bow down to him at the city gate, Haman tricked the King into signing an edict that would cause all of the Jews in Persia (not just Mordecai) to be exterminated. However, Haman knows neither of Esther's connection with Mordecai nor the fact that she is herself a Jew. And so Esther is preparing to reveal Haman's plot to the king and could have done so at her first banquet, but (apparently) senses God telling her to wait. So she invites the King and Haman to a second banquet, during which she will make her request. And this of course gives God the opportunity not just to bring Haman to justice, but to humble him and bring about the exaltation (the lifting up) of Mordecai, which we will cover. But after this first banquet, Haman (who has no idea what is coming) is on cloud 9. He is excited. It says in… Esther 5:9-14 (NIV)— 9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that's not all,” Haman added. “I'm the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate.” 14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits [(this was about 75 feet or almost 8 stories high)], and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up. Impaling— Now this pole (and impaling) was a pre-cursor to crucifixion, which some believe the Persians were the inventors of. It was a graphic way to display the corpses of your enemies and instill fear in the hearts of your people. Ahasuerus' grandfather Darius at one time had 3,000 citizens who had been a part of a revolt impaled at one time. It was very graphic and humiliating; and therefore a method Haman chooses with glee. And Haman (after instituting this plan) probably then turns in for the night and smiles as he drifts into sleep, dreaming of his revenge against Mordecai. Sleeping Haman vs. Sleepless Ahasuerus— But that night, Ahasuerus, by the providence of God, cannot sleep. He's tossing and turning, but to no avail. And he calls for his servants and commands that the royal records be read to him. And he is expecting the monotony of the records to lull him to sleep (like counting sheep or reading the phone book). So the royal records are brought, a scroll is chosen, and his servant begins reading. But instead of a boring record, he is read the record of his being saved by Mordecai from the plot against his life made by his two doorkeepers (Bigthan and Teresh) five years (cf. 2:16 with 3:7) earlier. Divine Orchestrating— Now the royal records recorded not only the years of Ahasuerus' reign, but also the reign of his father and grandfather. So you can imagine how many records there were. What are the chances that this scroll was chosen? Well it wasn't chance. God brought it about. Don't ever tell me this is a God-less book. God is very present in this story on every page; He is behind the scenes orchestrating every event towards the fulfillment of His purposes. The King's Inquiry— Now Xerxes, eagerly asks, 3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” And his attendants answer “Nothing has been done for him,” And so the King resolves to rectify that right away.  Haman's Pride Backfires— Yet, first thing in the morning, Haman comes before the king at the royal court with a gleam in his eye ready to ask the king for authorization to execute Mordecai. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! And he's thinking about that stake being set up for Mordecai. And he comes to the king. And the king speaks first. But can you even imagine what would have happened if Haman had spoken first? That expression, “He put his foot in his mouth” just wouldn't cut it. But the king speaks first. It says… Esther 6:6-10 (NIV)— 6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” {And Haman thinks it's HIM!!! And his ego and head begins to swell; his chest begins to puff out. It says…}  Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'” {And Haman smiles ear to ear as the king puffs his own chest out and gets ready to declare the recipient of this honor. Verse 10…} 10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” Haman Leading Mordecai's Parade— Now I don't think words can describe the shock and frustration this little man Haman was feeling. Maybe its like that commercial on tv where the man puts his head close to the bushes as he's working on them and a squirrel leaps out, latches onto his face and begins tearing him up. Hamon receives a similar, nasty surprise. And a whole field of emotions are bubbling up in Haman right now. But it says… Esther 6:11 (NIV)— 11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” Haman Head of The Parade!— Now you have to get this. Haman has to be the person not only to dress Mordecai in the royal robes and a royal crown and help him onto the royal horse, he has to be the guy who leads the parade for Mordecai as they go though the city. And as he's leading Mordecai, he has to say, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” And it says in verse 12... Esther 6:12 (NIV)— 12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. No comfort from his wife— And he's expecting them to comfort him and to placate his wounded ego. However, they don't. In fact, just the opposite. It says… His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”  Not quite the pick-me-up he was looking for. And that prophecy (unlike many) didn't predict events in the distant future; but was more of a just-around-the-corner kind of prophecy. It says… Esther 6:14-7:1—  14 While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. 7:1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther's banquet, And we will see next week how things are going to play out for Haman. But God's word to us for today is this. Although we know that God promises to reward us for our good deeds, we can often times feel that the “payoff” is too far away. And we often wonder if it is worth it. Mordecai went without being rewarded (or even recognized) for what he had done for five years. But though the king may have forgotten, one thing we see here is that God never forgets. And God will reward us in due season when that reward will do the greatest possible good. But we need to patient, just as both Esther AND Mordecai were willing to wait for God's timing. One of the greatest points of security that will come in your life will come when you come to grips with the truth that God truly is faithful; He has been, He is, and He always will be faithful to you and to me.  Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)— 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Let us know today in a special way the faithfulness of our God. Amen.

Hello, and welcome to Lechem Panim. In our study of the book of Esther, we have come to Esther's coronation. Out of a group of 400 girls, she has been chosen to be the next queen of Persia. And King Ahasuerus throws a huge party to celebrate. So it is a time of joy and feasting. But in the midst of all this there is also plot and intrigue, as two men secretly lay plans to try to assassinate the king; Esther's new husband. It says in… Esther 2:19 (ESV)— 19 Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time {(most likely so King Ahasuerus could choose more concubines for himself in addition to Esther, it says}, Mordecai {(Esther's elder cousin)} was sitting at the king's gate. The King's Gate— Now [the courthouse of the ancient world was the gate of the city.] If you had a legal matter to settle, you went to the city gate to do it. Court would convene at the city gate. And so Mordecai, we see, holds a position of prominence at the gate; very likely a judgeship. But he was more than just your run of the mill judge because he is not just at the city gate; no, he is at (the text says) the king's gate. And the king's gate was where officials appointed by the king sat to administer justice (2 Sam. 15:2–6; cf. Ruth 4:1–11).  And so Mordecai (though Jewish) was an important official appointed by the king. And it seems very plausible that Esther was the one who had him appointed to that position, as he is not mentioned as being in that position until after her coronation. But even if that were the case, we see that she kept her connection to him as her cousin a secret. It says in verse 20… Esther 2:20-21 (ESV)— 20 Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. {Now it says in…} 21 In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.  The Threshold— Now these two men were guardians of the threshold, the door to the king's private quarters. So these are guys who have direct access to the king. They have opportunity. And apparently they have motive, though we don't know exactly what that was. Esther's crowning may have had something to do with it. Perhaps those in the palace who were supporters of Queen Vashti resented Ahasuerus for de-throning and replacing her. Or it is possible these two men didn't like that Esther was an outsider, because (although it wasn't consistently obeyed) tradition dictated that wives for the Kings of Persia should be selected from within the seven noble families of the land. And so these men might have been traditionalists who saw Esther's becoming queen an offensive thing. We don't know. But whatever the motive, they are plotting together to kill the king. Now it says in… Ecclesiastes 10:20 (ESV) — 20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter. Well that little bird was Mordecai. The text says… Esther 2:22a (ESV)— 22 And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai,  Not Overhearing, But Being Informed— Now in the movies, Mordecai somehow overhears this conversation and reports it to Esther. But that is not what the scripture says. It says that this plot came to the knowledge of Mordecai. He did not overhear it; but acquired the information, probably because of his prominent position. It seems that because of his integrity (being one of the few righteous politicians in history), somebody gave him this information knowing that he would do the right thing. Can We Be Counted On?— And that just makes me think how wonderful it would be if all the people we came into contact with on a day to day basis could know that no matter what happened, you and I could always be counted on to do the right thing. Now some people won't like you for that, but they will know where you stand. And you will often win their favor in the end. And that's because the greatest testimony that you and I will ever bear to the world is the testimony of our living our lives in integrity. You want people to accept the Gospel. Then live it before them; and they will be drawn to it. Now why did Mordecai feel compelled to try to stop the assassination of Ahasuerus? We aren't sure. Perhaps it was for Esther's sake. Yet in the book of Jeremiah we see that God says through Jeremiah about the coming captivity… Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)— 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Mordecai Seeks Persia's Welfare— And here we see Mordecai acts in accord with the spirit of this verse. He seeks the welfare of Persia by actively preserving the life of the king. Now Mordecai thinks he is doing the right thing by saving the life of the Persian king. Yet what he doesn't realize is that it will be that very act that will cause his own life, the life of Esther, and the lives of God's people to be preserved years down the line. And an important principle is revealed here. When you preserve the life of another person, you also find (perhaps unexpectedly) that you have brought life to yourself as well. This can be in a physical sense (as in our passage this today) or it can be in a spiritual sense. Any of you who have ever had the privilege of bringing somebody to Christ know exactly what I am talking about. When you lead somebody to Jesus, your own faith is strengthened. Why? Because we are called to be agents; to be bringers of life. And you are never closer to Jesus than when you bring His life to another person. And Mordecai demonstrates this spirit in his choosing to be faithful to the king. It says… Esther 2:22-23 (ESV)— 22 And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. 23 When the affair was investigated and found to be so, the men were both hanged on the gallows. And it was recorded in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king. Book of the Chronicles— Now that last fact is what makes this account relevant to God's plan of redemption here in this story, as it will play a key role in the following chapters; this whole incident is recorded in the minutes of the king. Mordecai's Reward Overlooked— Now kings during that time, just like rulers nowadays, know that it is just as important to reward good behavior as to punish bad behavior. You fail or betray the king; your life was probably forfeit. You serve the king in a responsible or extra-ordinary way; you are honored. And [Acts of loyalty were usually rewarded immediately and generously by Persian kings.] But what is interesting here is that Mordecai gets overlooked by Ahasuerus. And this is understandable. Ahasuerus is so enamored by his new wife that all he remembers is her telling him about the plot. Yes the text says she warned him in the name of Mordecai and that is what was recorded. But you can really see how his human mind would have associated that memory with Esther. So Mordecai (for the time being) goes unrecognized. He is neither honored or promoted. And what is interesting is that Mordecai never draws attention to it, even though he could have expected a reward; that is what we would expect to see. Yet instead of Mordecai being honored, the next section opens with the honoring of someone else; a man named Haman. Esther 3:1-2a (ESV)— 1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, and advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him. 2 And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. … Juxtaposed Rewarded with Unrewarded— Now here [The author places the promotion of Haman just where the original readers would have expected a report of Mordecai's reward as a benefactor of the king.] And so [Haman's introduction forms an unexpected twist when juxtaposed with Mordecai's unrewarded loyalty.] And what is more frustrating is that we know that Haman will be shown to be an unrighteous, devious person, while Mordecai is upright and honest. The Unrighteous Rewarded— But you know, we experience this kind of thing in our day and age as well; don't we? Those who are often the most unrighteous are often the ones who are promoted; who are honored; and the good people are overlooked. Yet God eventually does bring judgment where judgement is due and glory where glory is due. Now it may take time. Here it probably took years. But God is a faithful judge. And if Mordecai could be trusted to do what is right, how much more can we trust God (the Divine Judge) to do right. But we have to learn to operate independently from praise; not for reward or our own glory, but for the glory of God.  Bach's Glory to God— For those of you who love music, it is interesting that Johann Sebastian Bach once said ["All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub." He headed his compositions: "J.J." "Jesus Juva" which means "Jesus help me." He ended them "S.D.G." "Soli Dei gratia" which means "To God alone the praise."] Our Reward— When we live our life for the glory of God, it doesn't matter who sees or what reward we receive. Now will we receive a reward for doing right? Yes. Jesus himself said in Matthew 6:4, “your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” But scripture also reveals to us the understanding that righteousness before God is it's own reward. It says in… Proverbs 11:18 (ESV)— 18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. Isaiah 3:10-11 (ESV)— 10 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. {Now on the flip side, it says in…} 11 Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him. God Will Reward— Now that last verse we see will be very clearly fulfilled in Mordecai's relationship with Haman. The evil that Haman will intend for Mordecai will fall on his own head. And the same will come of those who oppose Christ and His people. We may have to suffer persecution for a time; we may go a long time without being rewarded for the everyday acts of righteousness that we perform. But God will be faithful to reward us if we, like Mordecai; like Esther, choose to do what is right no matter what the cost. Let us commit to that integrity as we abide in Christ. Amen.

The Legacy of Mordecai (Esther 9-10) by Lynchburg City Church

Sunday School: October 6,2019Teacher: Pastor Nathan Ruble

Episode 2: Cultivating Counter-Cultural Beauty Beauty is one of the more notable characteristics of God we reflect, but what does that mean in a world that has the concept of beauty twisted? We'll unpack what Godly beauty means and how we can possess that apart from vanity. (Featuring Michelle Barnette) Scripture: Proverbs 31:31, 1 Peter 3:3-4, the book of Esther, Psalm 139 Questions: 1) How has our culture's perception of beauty affected the way you see yourself? 2) Read 1 Peter 3:3-5 and 1 Peter 5:8. In this same letter, Paul reminds us as women to care more about our inner beauty than our outer beauty AND he reminds us that there is a real enemy who is trying to tear us down. Why do you think the enemy often attacks women through our self-appearance and insecurities? 3) While it's good and godly to take care of our bodies, when we obsess over how we look we quickly become too self-focused and fall into the comparison trap. This is a great tactic of the enemy, who is constantly trying to pull us away from focusing on the big picture of God's kingdom. 4) How has your relationship with God changed the way you see or define beauty? 5) What are practical steps you can take to focus more on your inner beauty and character than your outer appearance? Where can you make a practical shift in how you're spending your time and what you're focusing on? 6) Read Esther 4 together, which talks about Mordecai (Esther's cousin) and Esther's response to finding out about the King's plan to assassinate all the Jews. While Esther is commended for her choice to use her voice and status to save God's people, it is Mordecai who ultimately reminds her of what's most important when she is having a moment of doubt. He helps her see beyond her fears and fix her eyes on the big picture of God's kingdom. As women, we are called to be a similar voice in our friends' lives. Practically speaking, how can we help the women around us focus more on God's plan and purpose for their lives rather than their insecurities? 7) Esther knew that her worth and identity came from God instead of her outer appearance, which allowed her to leave behind this amazing legacy. Take some time to write down your answers to the following questions: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? What do you want to be remembered by? 8) If you are open to it, share what you wrote with your group. Take what you wrote and put it somewhere you look often (your mirror, by your bed, etc.), and use it as a reminder of what you want to be the most known for.

Esther 4:11-17 and 7:3-6 (CEB)11 “All the king’s officials and the people in his provinces know that there’s a single law in a case like this. Any man or woman who comes to the king in the inner courtyard without being called is to be put to death. Only the person to whom the king holds out the gold scepter may live. In my case, I haven’t been called to come to the king for the past thirty days.”12 When they told Mordecai Esther’s words, 13 he had them respond to Esther: “Don’t think for one minute that, unlike all the other Jews, you’ll come out of this alive simply because you are in the palace. 14 In fact, if you don’t speak up at this very important time, relief and rescue will appear for the Jews from another place, but you and your family will die. But who knows? Maybe it was for a moment like this that you came to be part of the royal family.”15 Esther sent back this word to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are in Susa and tell them to give up eating to help me be brave. They aren’t to eat or drink anything for three whole days, and I myself will do the same, along with my female servants. Then, even though it’s against the law, I will go to the king; and if I am to die, then die I will.” 17 So Mordecai left where he was and did exactly what Esther had ordered him.3 Queen Esther answered, “If I please the king, and if the king wishes, give me my life—that’s my wish—and the lives of my people too. That’s my desire. 4 We have been sold—I and my people—to be wiped out, killed, and destroyed. If we simply had been sold as male and female slaves, I would have said nothing. But no enemy can compensate the king for this kind of damage.”5 King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is this person, and where is he? Who would dare do such a thing?”6 Esther replied, “A man who hates, an enemy—this wicked Haman!” Haman was overcome with terror in the presence of the king and queen.

This week we take a break from our series on the book of Ecclesiastes. Instead, another Member of the staff at International Baptist Church, Brother Ronald Longhofer, brings us a message entitled "Such a Time as This". The text is Ester 4:1-14. When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. 5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. 6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (KJV) For more information about International Baptist Church in Brooklyn New York visit: internationalbaptistny.org

The genre of the book of Esther is Narrative History. Its author is anonymous however; some believe Mordecai, (Esther’s cousin and guardian), wrote it. It was written approximately 470 B.C. in Persia. Esther became queen in 479 B.C. The key personalities are Esther, Mordecai, King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes), and Haman. Its purpose is to demonstrate God’s love and sovereignty in all circumstances. It is a post-exile story about Jews who stayed behind after most returned to Jerusalem after captivity. Babylon was conquered by Persia and Esther miraculously becomes the queen of the land, and saves her people. •    In chapter 1-2, Esther becomes the queen to Ahasuerus of Persia. She was personally chosen by the King. “The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him” (2:17), probably because of her beauty and intelligence. •    Chapters 3-4, Mordecai (Esther’s guardian) refused to bow down and pay homage to Haman a high official of the king. Haman becomes infuriated and plots to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom because of his pride. Mordecai hears of the plot and reports it to his Esther. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (4:14). •    From chapters 5-10, Esther outwits Haman and takes her petition to the king and pleas for the protection of her Jewish people from Haman’s wicked stratagem. The king out of anger, has Haman hung on the gallows, which he had built to destroy all the Jews. Esther’s faith and courage saves her people.

October 10, 2010   Identity Crisis Esther   Synopsis: Esther was a Jew.  She canceled her identity and became the queen of the Persians.  But Haman got King Xerxes to allow all of the Jews in the empire to be killed on a certain date.  Mordecai (Esther’s cousin who had adopted her after her parents deaths) warned her and told her that she might have been put in her position for “such a time as this.”        Esther called her people to a time of fasting and prayer.  She chose to be identified with the people of God.  Her challenge was great, but she was given wisdom to know how to turn the table on those who wanted to destroy all of the Jews.  Through her actions Esther brought about a change and deliverance for the people of God.       Others through history have faced their own identity crisis.  Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. faced his crisis when confront by hate and threaten by violence.  Like Esther, King found the strength to face his fears when he made the choice to be identified with those who were hurting.  Like Esther, the challenge was greater than he could overcome on his own so King called fellow believers to a time of prayer and fasting.  And like Esther, King was granted wisdom to know how to confront his adversaries and bring relief to those like him who longed to be free.  A rifle shot ended his life, but not silence the message, “Let freedom ring…”       Many believers today are faced with an identity crisis and the people of their communities are waiting for them to make a choice to be identified them in their need.  The challenge is great.  The needs are greater than our resources, but not greater than our God.  We need to come to a time of prayer and fasting.  “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”       Make your choice!  Accept your challenge!  Change your world!  Your time has come!   Scripture Text (NLT): Esther 4:13-16   Scripture Reading: Esther 4:13-14